Public Health Rules in Massachusetts (2026)
19 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 15 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Restaurant Grade Cards
Letter grade (A/B/C) public-display requirements for food facilities, what triggers a downgrade, and how the LA County DPH grading system works.
Rodent Control
Property owner duties to abate rats and mice, restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (CA AB-1788), and integrated-pest-management standards.
Medford
Significant RestrictionsChapter 6, Article IV of the Medford Revised Ordinances attaches a rodent control fee and, for larger projects, a…
Read full rule →Revere
Significant RestrictionsRevere conditions street opening and building permits on proof that a construction site has been treated for insects…
Read full rule →Somerville
Significant RestrictionsEvery Somerville property owner must keep premises free of rats and mice under Code of Ordinances § 11-38, implementing…
Read full rule →Boston
Some RestrictionsBoston will not issue a building permit for renovation, conversion or new construction until the applicant proves the…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Some RestrictionsEvery dumpster licensed in Cambridge must stay in good enough condition to keep rodents out and stay covered and…
Read full rule →Chelsea
Some RestrictionsChelsea requires every vacant lot owner to name an agent responsible for keeping the property free of litter and the…
Read full rule →Everett
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Everett, Massachusetts, Section 10-35 requires every premises to be rat-free and rat-proof. Occupants…
Read full rule →Fall River
Some RestrictionsFall River requires every building erected, repaired, altered or extended in the city to include ratproofing, and…
Read full rule →Haverhill
Some RestrictionsCity Code Section 255-6.3.3(9) bars any permitted use in the City of Haverhill from creating conditions that breed…
Read full rule →Lawrence
Some RestrictionsLawrence's Housing Code makes tenants responsible for keeping their own unit free of insects and rodents and owners…
Read full rule →New Bedford
Some RestrictionsNew Bedford requires properties that use a private trash hauler instead of city collection to keep waste in receptacles…
Read full rule →Quincy
Some RestrictionsQuincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) requires owners of dumpsters at commercial businesses and larger residential…
Read full rule →Taunton
Some RestrictionsBefore any building in Taunton can be torn down, the owner must hire an exterminator within the 14 days leading up to…
Read full rule →Framingham
Light RestrictionsFramingham requires every licensed lodging house to store its waste in watertight, rodent-proof receptacles with…
Read full rule →Syringe Disposal
How residents must dispose of home-generated sharps (insulin syringes, EpiPens), including kiosk locations and take-back-mailer programs.
Boston
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 12-16.3 requires every pharmacy in the city, defined as a chain with four or more retail…
Read full rule →Worcester
Some RestrictionsWorcester bars tossing needles or broken glass loose into the trash: Chapter Four, Section 6(d) makes it a violation to…
Read full rule →Food Handler Certification
CA Health & Safety Code §113948 food-handler-card requirement, retraining cycles, and how LA County DPH enforces certification at food facilities.
Fall River
Some RestrictionsFall River requires food service establishments to staff only licensed food handlers. An owner or manager who employs…
Read full rule →Framingham
Some RestrictionsEvery food establishment in the City of Framingham must have a certified food protection manager serving as the person…
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